Audi starts second half of DTM season with big aims

Sights set on clinching first win of the season at Spielberg (Austria).

Ingolstadt, July 28, 2014  In the DTM, Spielberg stands for thrilling races and enthusiastic fans in a beautiful setting. Next weekend (August 1 to 3) the circuit in Styria is to become the venue of the Audi squads first victory this season. Motorsport fans will get to watch the qualifying session on Saturday on prime time: ARD will start to broadcast live from Austria at 18.00 (CEST).

From bustling Moscow to tranquil Styria: Round six at Spielberg next weekend marks the start of the DTMs second half of the season. Audi is lying in wait: Mattias Ekström, the 2004 and 2007 Champion, in second place of the standings, is within striking distance of the leader Marco Wittmann. Four other Audi drivers are waiting for their opportunities in the top ten. In the manufacturers standings, the brand continues to rank at the top.

The 4.326-kilometer circuit, which is the third-longest one on the calendar, has been a good track for the four rings in previous races. The first two victories after the circuit was re-opened three years ago went to Audi drivers. Now, the squad is wishing for the next win  and first one of the season  to follow. While in the first half of the year the Audi drivers have been scoring more points (223) and podium places (8) than BMW and Mercedes-Benz, a first place has been missing in the brands tally of success so far in 2014.

The Red Bull Ring is equally popular with fans and drivers. The main reason, besides the picturesque Alpine scenery, is the tracks challenging configuration with long straights, as well as fast and slow combinations of turns that guarantee gripping races with plenty of overtaking maneuvers. The vertical differences with a maximum incline of twelve and a maximum drop of 9.3 percent are a special characteristic of the circuit.

Quotes by the officials

Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): Our aim remains unchanged for the race at Spielberg: Were set on clinching the first victory of the season for Audi. The track suited our car well in the past, which makes us feel optimistic. We learned our lessons from the less than perfect weekend at Moscow and fully focused on preparing for the start of the second half of the season. Although in the standings we no longer have the concentrated force of the Audi squad in striking distance were still in a good position to attack.

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): At Spielberg, the second half of the season will start, which makes the battle among the front runners in the standings increasingly thrilling. In Mattias (Ekström) and Edo (Mortara) weve got two hot irons in the fire that were set on attacking the leader of the standings with. Edo has won a race there before and Mattias was often beaten below his potential. And our two youngsters, Adrien (Tambay) and Miguel (Molina), are determined to be in contention again at the very front too.

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): Weve chalked the unfortunate race Sunday at Moscow up to experience and are only looking ahead. At Spielberg, were aiming to regain our old strength. Im optimistic that well manage that because our car always worked well there in the past years. Personally, Im really eager to see the Ring to which a lot of modifications have been made. If theres only half as much interest and enthusiasm by the fans as there was in Formula One, we can expect a great crowd.

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): I lived in the area for a little more than ten years, so the race at Spielberg is a bit of a home round for me. Im really looking forward to it because Ive got fond memories: in 2012, we won the race there. Obviously, wed like to repeat that.

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Mattias Ekström (36/S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #7 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) Has finished in the top five three times at Spielberg but never on the podium Is the only driver with a chance of catching up with the DTM leader at SpielbergThe Red Bull Ring should actually be a good track for me, if for no other reason than its name  but Ive still got some unfinished business with it because Ive never been on podium there. Even though Ive already clinched three trophies this year I feel an increasingly burning desire to hold the biggest trophy and hear the Swedish anthem.

Jamie Green (32/GB), Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM #21 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg) Most recently mounted the podium in the race at the Norisring In 2014 is in his tenth year of racing in the DTMThe long straights and some thrilling combinations of turns make Spielberg a very interesting track thats great fun  also for the spectators because there are good overtaking opportunities. Even though Moscow didnt go well for me, I feel comfortable and am set on clinching a place on the podium again in Austria.

Miguel Molina (25/E), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) Drove the fastest race lap at Moscow Was on podium in the race at BudapestIve now had two consecutive races that didnt go well. But in spite of that I know that well clinch a good result if everything fits together. Were going to try and manage that again at Spielberg.

Edoardo Mortara (27/I), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Abt) Won the race at Spielberg in 2012 In fourth place is the second-best Audi driver in the standingsSpielberg is one of my favorite tracks on the calendar. I clinched my first ever DTM victory here two years ago and feel very comfortable. So everything speaks for a successful race weekend.

Nico Müller (22/CH), Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg) Scored the first points in his DTM career at Moscow Was the best-placed Audi driver in qualifying at MoscowId like to build on the result at Moscow and continue to increase my upwards trend. More points are the aim. To achieve it, Id like to create the best possible starting base in qualifying in order to subsequently attack in the race.

Mike Rockenfeller (30/D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #1 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) Finished out of the points for the first time this season in the race at Moscow Together with Timo Scheider, competed in a 24-hour bicycle race at the Nürburgring last weekendSpielberg is a great track on which weve seen a lot of thrilling races in the past. The race day at Moscow was obviously a disappointment  but the speed and the work in the team perfectly fit in spite of this. If we continue that in Austria, weve got good chances of taking home a trophy.

Timo Scheider (35/D), AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM #2 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) Competes in the DTM with an Austrian racing license Therefore, calls the race at Spielberg a second home roundSpielberg is my second home race. Im very much hoping for my streak of misfortune to finally end there in front of many friends and fans and that Ill score a decent result.

Adrien Tambay (23/F), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #16 (Audi Sport Team Abt) Remained without points at Moscow for the first time this season Has contested 25 DTM races in his careerAfter the frustrating race at Moscow, where a good place would have been possible, I can hardly wait to finally be sitting in the race car again. The aim is clear: I want to clinch a podium position again.